Deputy City Manager presents Ascend apprenticeship proposal to youth council

Jeremiah Glisson, the city’s deputy city manager, introduced Ascend Fernandina’s leadership-team project and asked the Youth Advisory Council for feedback on a proposed apprenticeship program aimed at high-school seniors preparing for college or careers. “Ascend is our new leadership program here within the city, and we're here to collaborate and present an idea to you guys,” Glisson said.

Stephanie Brown, human resources manager, said the proposal would place students in short rotations across city departments so participants could see the work of finance, parks and recreation, public works, human resources and other teams. “This would give them an inside look at being a city employee or a public government employee,” Brown said. She described the concept as an internship/apprenticeship model that exposes youth to daily operations and career pathways in local government.

Council members expressed support for the idea and asked for clarity about timing and how the council could assist. The group discussed next steps: integrating interested youth into small Ascend project teams, relaying information through the council’s existing meetings, and assigning members to help shape the program as Ascend develops its final proposal this spring. The presenters said the program is still at the planning stage and that more details will be available as teams refine the project.

The council did not adopt any formal motion or set a deadline; members requested regular updates and offered to help recruit participants and community partners. The presenters said they would return with a more concrete plan later in the program cycle.